RenoHouse
Chimney Repair, Repointing & Removal โ Toronto GTA
Professional chimney repair & removal services in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Licensed, insured, and trusted by homeowners across the GTA.
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How It Works
A simple, stress-free process from start to finish.
Send Your Request
Call or WhatsApp us 24/7. Send photos, video, comments about what needs to be done, and your location.
Remote Estimate
We review everything, discuss details, and provide a clear estimate โ often within hours, no visit needed.
Repair Process
Our licensed team arrives on the agreed date and completes your chimney repair & removal to the highest standards.
Handover & Warranty
Final walkthrough with you, full cleanup, and warranty documentation provided.
Send Your Request
Call or WhatsApp us 24/7. Send photos, video, and a description of the work + your location.
Remote Estimate
We review everything, clarify details, and give you a price โ often within hours.
Repair Process
Licensed team arrives on schedule and completes your chimney repair & removal professionally.
Handover & Warranty
Final walkthrough, full cleanup, and warranty documentation.
Chimney Repair & Removal in Toronto GTA
RenoHouse coordinates chimney repair, repointing, capping, lining, and full removal projects for Toronto and GTA homeowners. Our scope is general-contractor-led project management: site survey, masonry work coordination with licensed mason partners (for brick repointing and rebuilds) or roofing partners (for full removal and roof patch), permit screening, and full construction including drywall and trim repair on the interior side after removal. Toronto's pre-1940 brick chimney stock is one of the most common deferred-maintenance items on detached and semi-detached homes โ and post-furnace-replacement chimney removal has become one of the highest-volume scopes in the past 5 years as gas furnaces are replaced with high-efficiency direct-vent or heat-pump systems that don't need a masonry chimney.
Toronto's chimney inventory and the typical condition
Most Toronto detached and semi-detached homes built between 1900 and 1940 have a single brick chimney serving (originally) a coal furnace, then a gas furnace, and a fireplace if one is present. Those chimneys were built with lime-mortar joints intended for natural movement and breathability โ modern Portland-cement repointing on top of original lime mortar can actually accelerate deterioration if done incorrectly. After 80โ120 years of weather, freeze-thaw cycles, and (for active chimneys) acidic flue gas exposure, the typical Toronto chimney shows: deteriorating mortar joints in the upper 2โ4 ft above the roof (most exposed to weather), cracked or crumbling brick faces (especially north-facing), missing or damaged chimney cap and crown, deteriorated or absent flue liner, and (in some cases) structural lean. The neighbourhoods with the highest chimney maintenance density: Cabbagetown, Riverdale, Leslieville, the Beaches, Junction, Roncesvalles, High Park, Bloor West Village, Annex, Wychwood, and parts of East York and Etobicoke.
Why so many chimneys are coming down post-furnace-replacement
Pre-1990s gas furnaces and older oil furnaces vented up through the masonry chimney. Modern high-efficiency furnaces (90%+ AFUE, condensing) vent through a small PVC pipe out the side wall โ the chimney is no longer needed for furnace exhaust. Heat pumps don't need a chimney at all. When the homeowner replaces the furnace with a high-efficiency model or a heat pump, the chimney becomes a maintenance liability with no functional role: it costs $1,500โ$5,000 every 10โ15 years to repoint, it's a roof-leak risk if cap or flashing fails, and on three-storey detached homes it's a $2,000+ scope just to inspect. Removing the chimney down to roof level (and patching the roof) eliminates the maintenance burden permanently and typically pays back in 8โ15 years through avoided maintenance.
Project value
Chimney inspection only (visual + camera up the flue): $300โ$600. Chimney cap and crown repair: $400โ$1,200. Repointing of upper section (typical 4โ8 ft visible above roof): $1,500โ$3,500. Full chimney repointing top-to-bottom (rare for Toronto stock but applies to some heritage homes): $4,000โ$8,000. Stainless steel flue liner installation (for active wood-burning fireplaces): $2,500โ$5,000. Partial removal (down to attic level, eliminate exposed/leaking section, retain interior structure): $2,500โ$5,000. Full removal and roof patch (decommission completely, asphalt-shingle re-deck and patch, interior drywall closure): $4,000โ$15,000 depending on chimney size, roof scope, and interior finish work. Pricing factors: chimney height and size, scaffolding requirements (chimneys above 2.5 storeys typically require scaffolding which adds $800โ$2,500), interior access for removal (full removal requires interior wall opening and reclosure), and heritage character.
Honest scope and licensing
Masonry repointing and brick repair work is performed by licensed mason partners. RenoHouse holds general contractor licensing and coordinates the masonry sub for the brick portion. Roof patching and flashing work after chimney removal is performed by RenoHouse trades (roofing certification held in-house) or by licensed roofing partners for premium-tier roofs. WSIB coverage is in place for all crew. Heritage Permit may be required when the chimney is on a heritage-character frontage in a Heritage Conservation District (Cabbagetown, Riverdale, Annex, Wychwood, parts of the Beaches and Leslieville) โ visible exterior changes need permit review. We screen for triggers at the site visit.
Repointing โ the right way
Original Toronto chimneys use lime-mortar joints, not Portland-cement mortar. Repointing with modern Portland cement (Type N or Type S) on top of soft lime brick can accelerate deterioration: the cement is harder than the brick, so freeze-thaw cycles drive water into the brick rather than allowing the joint to flex; the brick faces spall (chip off) over 10โ20 years. Best practice for heritage Toronto chimneys is lime-based repointing mortar matched to the original mortar character (typically Type O or Type K with hydrated lime). Our mason partner specifies the correct mortar at the site visit; we don't allow Portland-cement repointing on heritage chimneys. The visual check: original mortar joints are 1/4"โ3/8" wide with a slight texture; modern Portland repointing is often visibly grey, harder, and crisper โ homeowners can spot bad past repointing and we identify it for them.
Full removal โ what's involved
Removal proceeds top-down: scaffold or roof tie-off; brick demolition course-by-course down to the roof line (or further if a deeper removal is scoped); interior chimney chase opening and reclosure (typical Toronto homes have a chimney chase visible inside the basement, first floor, and second floor โ drywall removal, framing of the cleared chase, drywall reclosure, paint); roof patch (asphalt-shingle re-deck where the chimney passed through, new flashing and shingle integration); attic insulation patch where the chimney chase is sealed off. We don't tear walls twice โ interior chimney chase work is sequenced with any active renovation when possible. Bricks are recovered for reuse (some homeowners want them for landscaping); the remainder is demolition waste. Decommissioning of the gas line at the base (if a gas appliance was venting through the chimney) is handled by a TSSA G2 partner.
Roof patch reality
When a chimney comes down, the roof opening that's left is typically 24"โ36" square (depending on chimney size). Patching that opening requires: re-decking with sheathing matched to the existing roof deck, ice-and-water shield, and new asphalt shingles integrated into the surrounding shingle field. Color match is the biggest concern โ shingles fade with age, and a fresh patch in the middle of an aged roof is visible. We mitigate by sourcing the closest-match shingle or by re-shingling the affected slope (when the roof is older and a partial re-shingle makes sense). Flashing is critical โ a poorly-flashed chimney patch is the #1 source of post-removal roof leaks. We use a certified roofing crew or our in-house roofers for the patch and we warrant the patch separately from the masonry work.
Serving Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Burlington, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York, and all GTA communities. Call 289-212-2345 for a free chimney consultation.
Chimney repair and removal in Toronto in 2026 covers the full lifecycle of residential masonry chimneys on GTA pre-1990 detached, semi, and row-house properties โ tuckpointing failed mortar joints, brick replacement, crown rebuild, cap and damper repair, liner inspection per WETT and NFPA 211, full chimney rebuild on heritage Cabbagetown HCD properties, and complete chimney removal where the chimney is no longer needed (decommissioned woodburning fireplace, switched to electric or gas direct-vent appliance, gable-rebuild for envelope improvement). Scope runs $580-$4,800 for repair, $3,800-$12,000 for full rebuild, and $4,200-$11,500 for full removal with gable infill and roof patch.
2026 GTA chimney scope cost breakdown
Minor repair scope ($580-$1,400, 1-2 day visit): Tuckpointing of 8-30 sq ft of failed mortar joints (Type N or O lime mortar match), single-brick replacement (1-3 bricks), crown patch with fresh mortar, cap inspection and minor reseal, ash-cleanout door repair. Suitable for cosmetic and isolated repair.
Standard repair scope ($1,600-$3,200, 3-4 day visit): 30-100 sq ft tuckpointing (full chimney face), 4-12 brick replacements, full crown rebuild (4-6-inch concrete crown with overhanging drip-edge), new stainless cap install (Olympia, Hy-C, or Imperial), counter-flashing rebuild into mortar joint, WETT certification inspection if woodburning appliance, smoke chamber smoke-test.
Major repair scope ($3,400-$4,800, 5-7 day visit): Full chimney face re-pointing, 12-30 brick replacements, full crown + cap rebuild, full step-and-counter flashing rebuild around 4 sides, top 1-2 feet of chimney rebuild from inside out, liner inspection with video camera (NFPA 211 ยง 11), liner repair or relining with stainless steel.
Full chimney rebuild ($3,800-$12,000, 7-21 day visit): Top-to-bottom rebuild of chimney from above-roof down to corbel, new Type N mortar throughout, matched brick (Brampton Brick, Hanson, or salvaged heritage brick for HCD properties), new flue-tile or stainless-steel liner system, new crown, new stainless cap, full counter-flashing rebuild. Heritage scope on HCD streets includes matched-mortar tinting and matched-profile brick supply.
Chimney removal ($4,200-$11,500, 5-10 day visit): Full chimney teardown from above roof to foundation, brick salvage if structurally sound, gable wall infill matching exterior cladding (brick infill, vinyl, fibre-cement, or wood siding match), interior fireplace decommission (gas line cap with TSSA notification, electrical decommission with ESA notification), roof patch with matching shingle, attic insulation and vapor barrier infill, drywall patch where chimney transited interior framing.
Common Toronto chimney failure modes and standard repair
| Failure | Root Cause | Typical Property | Standard Fix | Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortar joint failure | Freeze-thaw cycling | Pre-1990 stock | Tuckpoint with matched mortar | $24-$48/sq ft |
| Brick spalling | Frost damage on saturated brick | Pre-1980 stock | Replace bricks, brick-cleaner | $80-$140/brick |
| Crown cracking | Original crown undersized or improperly mixed | Pre-2000 stock | Full crown rebuild | $480-$1,200 |
| Cap missing or rusted | Original cap failure | All eras | New stainless cap | $280-$580 |
| Flue tile cracking | Chimney fire or seal failure | Pre-1990 woodburning | Stainless liner relining | $1,800-$3,800 |
| Counter-flashing pull-away | Mortar joint failure | Pre-2000 stock | Rebuild reglet + new lead/aluminum | $580-$1,200 |
| Chimney lean | Foundation settlement | Pre-1950 stock | Engineering assessment + tuckpoint | $1,200-$4,800 |
| Birds in chimney | Missing cap | All without cap | Cap install + cleanout | $340-$680 |
| Creosote buildup | Improper burn or inadequate cleaning | Active woodburning | Chimney sweep + inspection | $180-$340 |
| Decommissioned chimney decay | No active use | Pre-1990 inactive | Full removal scope | $4,200-$11,500 |
Chimney repair process โ what RenoHouse delivers
Step 1 โ Pre-repair inspection. Ground-level visual, ladder-and-roof access for top-of-chimney inspection, video-camera inspection of flue (NFPA 211 ยง 11), masonry condition probe (hammer test for hollow brick, mortar-joint depth check). Photo documentation.
Step 2 โ WETT certification consideration. If chimney serves an active woodburning, pellet, or oil appliance, WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) certified technician on site for inspection per NFPA 211 (US and Canadian standard) โ WETT certificate required by Ontario insurance carriers (Aviva, Intact, Wawanesa, etc.) on woodburning appliances.
Step 3 โ Mortar matching. Heritage scope (Cabbagetown, Annex, Yorkville HCD): mortar colour-and-texture match via on-site test panels with multiple lime-and-sand ratios. Type N mortar (1:1:6 lime:Portland:sand) is heritage standard; modern Type S (1:0.5:4.5) only on structural rebuild. Mortar match is critical for visual integrity on heritage facades.
Step 4 โ Repair execution. Tuckpointing: existing failed mortar raked out 3/4-inch minimum depth with grinder or hand-chisel, fresh mortar packed in lifts and tooled to match adjacent profile (concave, V-joint, weather, or flush per original). Brick replacement: failed bricks removed individually with masonry chisel, new bricks set in fresh mortar to match. Crown rebuild: existing crown demolished, new wood-form crown poured with 4-6-inch overhanging drip-edge per CMHC chimney detail.
Step 5 โ Flashing rebuild. Counter-flashing reglet-cut into freshly-pointed mortar joint, lead or aluminum step + counter flashing per CSA A371. IKO StormtitePro ice-and-water shield extends under shingle starter at chimney intersection.
Step 6 โ Cap and damper. New stainless-steel cap (Olympia Premium Stainless, Hy-C OmniCap, Imperial Single-Flue) sized to flue opening, secured with stainless steel screws into crown. Top-mounted damper if active appliance (Lock-Top, Hi-Mount).
Step 7 โ Liner inspection or relining. Video camera inspection per NFPA 211 ยง 11. Liner cracks, gaps, or fire damage require relining: HomeSaver Pro stainless-steel rigid liner, FuranFlex flexible liner, or cast-in-place ceramic liner per the appliance spec.
Step 8 โ Final inspection. WETT certificate issued (where applicable), photo documentation, warranty paperwork.
Chimney removal process
Step 1 โ Pre-removal assessment. Confirm chimney is decommissioned (no active gas appliance, no woodburning appliance, no electrical vent). TSSA gas-line cap (if previously gas-served) must be done by G2-certified technician. ESA notification on electrical decommission.
Step 2 โ Permit. Toronto Building Permit required for chimney removal โ affects roof structure, exterior cladding, and interior wall framing. Heritage Permit on HCD streets โ removal may be denied on heritage-designated properties.
Step 3 โ Demolition. Top-down teardown from above roof, brick by brick if heritage-savable (matched brick for future projects), or brick-and-mortar chunked into containers. Roof opening protected with tarp.
Step 4 โ Gable infill. New 2x6 SPF framing matching adjacent wall stud spacing, sheathing with 1/2-inch OSB, WRB lap with adjacent house WRB, exterior cladding match (brick infill for brick exterior โ matching brick supply from Brampton Brick or Hanson; vinyl, fibre-cement, or wood for cladded exterior).
Step 5 โ Roof patch. Sheathing patch with matching plywood or OSB, ice-and-water shield extension, asphalt-shingle match (typically requires 6-10 shingle replacement around patch area to blend pattern).
Step 6 โ Interior decommission. Drywall patch where chimney transited interior framing, baseboard and trim match, paint touch-up. Attic insulation infill matching adjacent insulation type and depth, vapor barrier seal.
Step 7 โ Gas/electrical decommission paperwork. TSSA gas-cap inspection, ESA electrical decommission inspection where applicable.
Brand and material whitelist
Brick supply: Brampton Brick (Canadian, Ontario plant โ full line of standard and heritage profiles), Hanson Brick (Canadian/UK), Belden Brick (US heritage), salvaged heritage brick from Toronto reclaim suppliers (Architectural Salvage Toronto, Renovator's Resource).
Mortar: Type N (lime-rich heritage standard), Type S (structural premium), Custom System Mortar (CSM heritage colour-matched).
Crown sealant: Sashco Crown-Coat, Tremco Dymonic 100, Pecora 895NST.
Cap: Olympia Premium Stainless (Canadian-made), Hy-C OmniCap, Imperial Single-Flue, ChimSaver, Lyemance.
Liner: HomeSaver Pro stainless steel rigid, FuranFlex flexible, ICC EXCEL stainless, ProTech ChimneyLiner, Z-FlexZ-Vent.
Flashing: Lead-coated copper (premium heritage), 0.030 aluminum (standard), copper sheet (premium Cabbagetown).
Shingle (for roof patch): GAF Timberline HDZ, IKO Cambridge or Dynasty, Owens Corning Duration, matched to existing.
Underlayment: IKO StormtitePro, Grace Ice & Water Shield, Henry Blueskin RF200.
GTA neighbourhood considerations
Toronto core (Cabbagetown, Riverdale, Leslieville, Annex, Yorkville): Pre-1940 stock with original soft-fired clay brick chimneys at 80-120 year mark. Heritage Permit mandatory on HCD streets. Mortar match critical. Salvaged heritage brick preferred for replacement. Premium scope mandatory. Heritage Permit 4-6 weeks lead.
Etobicoke (Long Branch, Sunnylea, The Kingsway): 1950s-1970s. Standard tuckpoint and crown repair scope. Brampton Brick or Hanson modern brick acceptable.
Mississauga (Streetsville, Erin Mills, Lorne Park): 1980s-2000s. Mid-life tuckpoint and crown scope. Lakefront Port Credit salt-air on flashings โ stainless or lead-coated copper.
Vaughan / Maple / Woodbridge: 1990s-2010s. Italian-Canadian preference for premium scope with cast-stone or stamped-concrete crown accent.
Markham (Unionville, Cathedraltown, Berczy, Cornell): 2000s-2010s. Cathedraltown design-review for visible exterior change.
Richmond Hill (Bayview Hill, Oak Ridges): Estate-scale, premium scope. Cast-stone or sculpted crown.
Oakville / Burlington (Bronte, Glen Abbey): Lakefront salt-air. Stainless cap mandatory. Lead-coated copper flashing.
Aurora / King City / Caledon: Rural estate. Stone or rusticated-block premium.
Brampton: 1990s-2010s. Standard scope.
Scarborough (Birchcliff, Cliffside, Guildwood): Lakefront. Salt-air.
Chimney removal demand is highest in Etobicoke, Scarborough, and inner Toronto (Bloor West, Bloordale) on 1950s-1970s detached where decommissioned oil or wood appliances have left unused brick chimneys โ common gable rebuild scope.
Permits, compliance, and Toronto bylaw references
Toronto Building Permit:
- Repair (tuckpoint, crown, cap, flashing): not required for like-for-like repair
- Rebuild from above-roof to corbel: required
- Full chimney rebuild from foundation up: required
- Chimney removal with gable infill: required
Heritage Permit on HCD streets (Cabbagetown, Annex, Yorkville, Riverdale, etc.): required for visible exterior change including chimney rebuild or removal. Removal often denied on heritage-designated chimneys.
OBC 9.21 governs masonry chimneys.
OBC 9.21.4 governs chimney construction โ minimum 4 inches above any roof penetration within 3 m of chimney, 2-foot rule (chimney must extend 2 ft above any portion of roof within 10 ft).
OBC 9.21.5 governs chimney clearances to combustibles โ 2 inches air gap from framing for masonry chimney, with no insulation in air gap.
CSA A371 governs masonry stone veneer and chimney crown construction.
NFPA 211 (US) and CAN/ULC S629 (Canadian) govern chimney safety standards.
WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) certification required for inspection of woodburning appliance chimneys โ Ontario insurance requirement.
TSSA gas-fitter (G2) required for gas appliance decommission. ESA notification for electrical decommission.
WSIB clearance + $2M general liability + $1M property damage required on every Toronto residential chimney scope.
Rebate landscape
No direct rebate on chimney repair. Indirect: chimney removal paired with envelope-insulation upgrade (insulating the former chimney chase) qualifies for HRS attic insulation rebate ($1,000-$2,500/household). Heritage Property Tax Rebate Program may apply on designated heritage chimneys.
FAQ
Do I need WETT inspection?
If you have an active woodburning, pellet, or oil appliance, yes โ Ontario insurance carriers (Aviva, Intact, Wawanesa) require WETT certificate on annual or biennial basis. Inspection $180-$280.
Can my chimney be repaired or does it need rebuild?
Repair scope (tuckpoint, brick replacement, crown rebuild) addresses most failure modes. Full rebuild required when over 50% of brick is spalled, mortar throughout chimney has failed, or chimney has structural lean.
What about chimney sweep?
Chimney sweep on active woodburning appliance: annual cleaning recommended, $180-$340. Creosote buildup over 1/4-inch thickness is fire hazard.
Should I remove or repair my unused chimney?
If chimney is decommissioned and no future use planned: removal eliminates ongoing maintenance and improves envelope insulation. If future re-commissioning possible: repair and cap preserves option.
How long does chimney repair take?
Minor repair: 1-2 days. Standard: 3-4 days. Major rebuild: 5-7 days. Full rebuild: 7-21 days. Removal: 5-10 days.
What about my fireplace inside?
Decommissioned fireplace can be removed (drywall infill, hearth removal) or preserved as decorative-only with proper gas/electrical cap.
Can you match my heritage mortar?
Yes โ on-site test panels with multiple lime-and-sand ratios. Type N heritage match standard. Mortar colour critical for visual integrity on Cabbagetown HCD or Annex HCD properties.
Will I need permits?
Repair: typically no. Rebuild from above-roof down: yes. Full rebuild: yes. Removal: yes. Heritage Permit on HCD streets for any visible change.
What about flue liner relining?
Stainless-steel rigid liner (HomeSaver Pro) for woodburning, FuranFlex flexible for irregular flues, cast-in-place ceramic for severe damage. Liner relining $1,800-$3,800.
Can you cap a fireplace that's no longer used?
Yes โ flue cap with permanent seal, top-mounted damper, or full cap install. $340-$680.
Will removal affect my home insurance?
Notify insurance of chimney removal. Premium may increase slightly (loss of fireplace) or decrease (reduced chimney-fire risk). Discuss with broker.
What warranty?
RenoHouse workmanship: 10-year on full rebuild, 5-year on standard repair, 3-year on tuckpoint and minor. Manufacturer warranty pass-through on stainless cap (15-25 year typical), liner (20-life depending on product).
Need a quote in the GTA?
Call RenoHouse at 289-212-2345 for a free chimney inspection. We serve Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Oakville, Burlington, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York, Aurora, King City, Caledon, and all surrounding GTA communities. WETT-certified inspection available, Heritage Permit coordination, Russian-speaking coordination, written fixed-price quote, full WSIB and liability coverage.
Toronto/GTA neighborhood considerations
- Forest Hill / Rosedale / Lawrence Park (heritage): Original 1920s clay-flue-lined brick chimneys at end-of-life โ clay-flue liner spalling, brick crown crack, mortar joint failure. Lime-mortar repointing (NHL 3.5 hydraulic lime) mandatory โ portland-cement damages historic brick face. Crown rebuild $4.8K-$9.4K with copper drip cap, full chimney-rebuild from roofline up $14K-$32K. Heritage-permit on any visible change.
- North York / Scarborough / Etobicoke (60s-70s): Mortar-joint repointing + concrete crown repair standard scope. Cast-in-place crown often cracked from freeze-thaw โ replace with engineered concrete crown 100mm thick with bond-break + counter-flashing reglet. Chimney-removal (capped + structurally retained, or fully removed below roofline + roof-patch) increasingly common with furnace-to-heat-pump conversion eliminating chimney-vent use. Typical repair $1.4K-$4.8K, full removal scope $4.8K-$11K with roof-patch.
- Mississauga / Brampton / Vaughan (90s+): Direct-vent furnace + tankless = no chimney use, removal common at $4.8K-$8.4K with sidewall-vent retrofit. Or sealed-stack abandonment + roof-patch.
- Caledon / King City / Aurora (rural): Premium scope โ full structural chimney rebuild on stone or cultured-stone facade $24K-$58K. Often paired with wood-burning fireplace retrofit (Renaissance Rumford, Stuv 30-Compact) requiring upgraded flue.
- Downtown condos: Shared common-element โ Board responsible. Not unit-level.
Permit + compliance: Toronto Building Permit required on chimney rebuild above 1.0m from roof, or full removal. CSA A371 governs chimney flashing detail โ step-flashing tucked under shingle courses, counter-flashing reglet-cut into mortar joint with lead-flashing set. OBC 9.21 governs masonry construction.
Why Trust RenoHouse
On-Time Completion
We respect deadlines for chimney repair & removal projects. 95% of jobs finish on or ahead of schedule.
Certified & Insured
Proper licensing, full insurance coverage, and WSIB protection. Your property and our team are completely protected.
Satisfaction Guarantee
We're not done until you're 100% happy with your chimney repair & removal. That's our promise.
Sound Familiar?
These are the most common problems our clients face.
Pre-1940 brick chimney with deteriorating mortar joints in the upper section above the roof?
Just replaced your old furnace with a high-efficiency or heat-pump system and the chimney is no longer needed?
Roof leak that the roofer says is the chimney flashing or cap?
Heritage Conservation District chimney and need lime-mortar repointing (not Portland cement)?
Active wood-burning fireplace with deteriorated or missing flue liner?
Tired of paying $2K-$5K every 10-15 years to maintain a chimney that no longer serves a purpose?
Ready to get started?
Free estimate, no obligation. We respond within 1 hour.
What Our Clients Say
โOur new deck is absolutely gorgeous. The RenoHouse team was professional from start to finish. Great design suggestions and flawless execution.โ
Lisa K.
Richmond Hill
โNew deck is the highlight of our backyard. Built solid, looks beautiful, and the staining is perfect. Great summer investment.โ
Mark L.
Brampton
โFence installation was quick and clean. They matched our neighbor's style perfectly. Very pleased with the result.โ
Rachel F.
Newmarket
Our Chimney Repair & Removal Work
Professional chimney repair & removal results from RenoHouse projects across the Toronto GTA.
Chimney Repair & Removal
Toronto GTA
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๐งฎ Chimney Repair / Removal โ Cost Estimator
GTA / Ontario โ 2026 market pricing
โ๏ธ Add-ons & Options
๐ Where the cost goes (typical breakdown)
๐ What affects your price:
๐ก Estimates use 2026 GTA/Ontario market data. Actual cost depends on site conditions, material selections, and project scope. Book a free in-home quote for a precise number.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Repair & Removal
Chimney inspection only: $300โ$600. Cap and crown repair: $400โ$1,200. Upper-section repointing (typical 4โ8 ft above roof): $1,500โ$3,500. Full top-to-bottom repointing: $4,000โ$8,000. Stainless flue liner: $2,500โ$5,000. Partial removal: $2,500โ$5,000. Full removal + roof patch + interior drywall closure: $4,000โ$15,000 depending on size, height, scaffolding, and interior finish. Heritage premiums apply where lime-mortar specification or Heritage Permit is needed.
Modern high-efficiency gas furnaces (90%+ AFUE, condensing) vent through a small PVC pipe out the side wall โ the chimney is no longer needed. Heat pumps don't need a chimney at all. When the furnace is replaced, the chimney becomes a maintenance liability with no functional role: $1,500โ$5,000 every 10โ15 years to repoint, roof-leak risk if cap or flashing fails. Removing the chimney typically pays back in 8โ15 years through avoided maintenance, plus eliminates the leak risk entirely.
Possibly. Chimneys on heritage-character frontages in Heritage Conservation Districts (Cabbagetown, Riverdale, Annex, Wychwood, parts of the Beaches and Leslieville) often require Heritage Permit review for visible exterior changes โ including removal. Rear or interior chimneys typically don't trigger heritage review. We screen at the site visit and tell you honestly which path your project is on. Heritage Permit adds 6โ12 weeks.
Original Toronto chimneys use lime-mortar joints, not Portland-cement. Repointing a heritage brick chimney with hard Portland (Type N or S) cement on soft lime brick accelerates deterioration: the cement is harder than the brick, freeze-thaw cycles drive water into the brick rather than the joint, and the brick faces spall (chip off) over 10โ20 years. Best practice is lime-based repointing mortar (Type O or K with hydrated lime) matched to the original character. Our mason partner specifies the correct mortar at the site visit.
Yes. Masonry repointing and brick repair is performed by licensed mason partners (we coordinate the brick scope). Roof patching and flashing after chimney removal is performed by RenoHouse trades (roofing certification held in-house) or by licensed roofing partners for premium-tier roofs. WSIB covered. Permit pulled when scope triggers it. The customer has one contract with us covering the entire scope.
Most chimney leaks come from one of four sources: (1) deteriorated mortar in the upper section (water enters joints, freezes, spalls), (2) failed cap or crown (water pours straight down the flue), (3) failed flashing where the chimney meets the roof (most common), (4) cracked or porous brick faces. Diagnosis at the site visit identifies the source โ many 'chimney leaks' are actually flashing failures fixed without touching the brick. We do not chase symptoms; we identify the root cause.
Site visit and quote: 60โ90 minutes. Permit screen and Heritage Permit (if applicable): 4โ12 weeks. Removal day(s): 1โ3 days for the masonry demo + roof patch (depending on chimney size, height, scaffolding requirements). Interior chase reclosure (drywall + paint): 2โ4 days. Total clock 4โ8 weeks contract-to-completion when no Heritage Permit; 12โ20 weeks if Heritage Permit applies.
Possibly โ color match is the biggest concern with mid-life roofs. Shingles fade with age, and a fresh patch is visible against an aged surrounding roof. We mitigate by (a) sourcing the closest-color-match shingle from manufacturer current production, or (b) recommending a partial re-shingle of the affected slope when the roof is older (10+ years) and the patch would never blend. We're transparent at the site visit about which approach makes sense for your roof age and color.
Older gas appliances (pre-1995 furnaces, water heaters) often vent up through the masonry chimney. When the chimney is decommissioned, the appliance must either (a) be replaced with a side-vent high-efficiency model that vents through a wall, or (b) be re-vented to a different masonry or B-vent path. Decommissioning of the gas line at the base of an old chimney is performed by our TSSA G2 gas-fitter partner under permit. We coordinate the gas-fitting scope with the masonry removal so there's no gap or overlap.
Yes. Partial removal (down to attic level, eliminating the exposed-above-roof section while retaining the interior structure) costs $2,500โ$5,000 and is appropriate when the lower chimney is sound but the upper portion is failing. Roof patch and interior drywall closure are reduced scope vs. full removal. The interior chimney chase remains as a structural element. We assess the lower portion's condition before recommending partial vs. full removal.
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